No plans to enter into any talks with TTP: Foreign Office

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday that it has no intention of holding any talks with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

As per the details, in weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the terrorist organization is involved in the killing of Pakistani and foreign nationals inside the country.

She said that Pakistan respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch added, “We expect the Afghan authorities to uphold their sovereignty and take action against terrorist groups that have found sanctuaries inside Afghanistan and for carrying out terrorist attacks against their own soil, Pakistan.

In response to a question, the spokesperson of the Foreign Office said that Pakistan is committed to the implementation of the plan to repatriate illegal aliens.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the first phase of the project is nearing completion and is aimed at repatriating illegal aliens, including Afghans, to their native countries.

The Foreign Office spokesperson also clarified that Pakistan has not made any compromise to UNHCR to suspend the project. He pointed out that the government has approved a one-year extension of the validity of proof-of-registration cards of Afghan refugees.

In response to a question, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan and the United States have a multifaceted and a robust partnership.

She said Pakistan believes that this relationship should move forward on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

Earlier in December 2023, Pakistan strongly denied reports and speculations of talks with TTP.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch had said that there is no discussion with TTP.

“We have noted the statement of the interim Afghan government that it will investigate Tuesday’s terror attack that took place in Dera Ismail Khan,” Zahra said, adding that Afghanistan should take strong action against perpetrators of this heinous attack and hand them over to Pakistan along with the TTP leadership in Afghanistan.